Chapter 134 The Scholar Who Favored His Concubine Over His Wife (Twenty-Six) Pursuing Pure Love...
Song Ce stepped forward in two quick steps, tightly grasped Tao Wangying's hand, revealing a rare youthful spirit, and said with slightly reddened eyes, "This student greets my esteemed teacher."
"Get up, get up!" Tao Wang's cold and stern expression softened suddenly. He quickly stopped Song Ce from bowing and said seriously, "Although we are teacher and student, we are also like father and son. Why be so polite?"
“My teacher is right. You must be tired from your long journey. Please come in.”
During this short journey, Song Ce kept asking Tao Wang about his well-being, inquiring whether the trip was smooth, whether he had caught a cold, and whether the food was to his liking—the kind of everyday questions. Listening to Song Ce's rambling, Tao Wang's expression softened. Since he moved to the capital, apart from Bai Chuan, few people had shown him such concern.
Upon reaching the main hall, Song Ce personally poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to him, greeting him with a smile: "Master, Qizhou is not as prosperous as the capital, and the conditions are simple. I hope you will not take offense."
"The development of Qizhou City is evident to all, A-Ce. Why are you still so modest?" Tao Wang said with a smile, took the teacup offered by Song Ce, and took a sip. The warm tea slid down his throat, dispelling the chill he had felt on the way.
"Master, how is this tea?" Song Ce asked with a clear smile.
"The aroma of the tea is wonderful, and the aftertaste is unforgettable. It's excellent tea! Even more refreshing than the yellow bud tea you sent last year," Tao Wang said, taking another sip.
“This is Shuangqing tea, a new variety cultivated this year. If you like it, Master, I’ll pack you two packets.” Song Ce smiled and sat down opposite Tao Wang, lifting his robe. He was about to say something when Tao Wang put down his teacup, gave a wry smile, and said, “Ah Ce, you must already know that I have come here on the orders of the Crown Prince to persuade you to surrender to the court.”
Song Ce tightened his grip on the teacup slightly, and after a long while, he said softly, "This student does know."
"Sigh..." Tao Wang sighed softly, opened his mouth, and after a long while said, "We are teacher and student. If I were to say that I came here for no other reason than to see you, would you believe me?"
"I believe you," Song Ce replied crisply, smiling as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, Tao Wang's expression softened. He reached out and patted Song Ce's shoulder, his expression moved, and said, "I've long heard that you've established several free schools in Qizhou City. I wonder if I'm qualified to find a teaching position in one of these schools?"
“My esteemed teacher is a man of exceptional talent and ability. If you would be willing to stay, I would be more than happy to accept,” Song Ce said clearly.
Tao Wang shook his head, a bitter feeling rising in his throat, and said softly, "What 'passing the imperial examination'? He's nothing more than an old scholar who's read a few more books."
Upon hearing this, Song Ce's eyes reddened again. He poured Tao Wang another cup of tea and said earnestly, "Why do you belittle yourself, my teacher? Your willingness to stay is a blessing for Qizhou and for the students."
Tao Wang paused, his gaze falling on the rising steam from the rim of the cup. He smiled bitterly and said, "As you probably already know, the Crown Prince insisted on having Baichuan detained in the capital, ostensibly to take care of him, but in reality, as a hostage. I have never married and have only one child, Baichuan. I am worried..."
"Don't worry, Master." Song Ce said gently with a smile, "When His Majesty wanted to appoint the Fourth Prince Xiao Yunzhan as Crown Prince, I sent a message to the people in the capital, asking them to act according to the circumstances and come to Qizhou with Master and Brother Baichuan."
Tao Wang's eyes widened suddenly upon hearing this. He doubted his ears and asked blankly, "A-Ce, what...did you say?"
Seeing Tao Wang's shocked expression, Song Ce gently put down his teacup and said matter-of-factly, "Master, I have already made arrangements. Xiao Yunzhan detained Brother Baichuan only to use you to control you and make you work for him. How could I sit idly by?"
Tao Wang raised his head and looked at his former student, who had now grown into a figure whom no one in the world dared to underestimate. He was filled with mixed emotions: "So, you had been planning this all along. On behalf of Baichuan, I thank you."
"You flatter me, Master." Song Ce smiled modestly and said gently, "I owe my success today entirely to your careful guidance back then. Besides, since Brother Baichuan is your only son, how could I stand by and watch him fall into danger?"
Tao Wang nodded slightly and said with emotion, "Since you already have a plan in mind, I will not ask any more questions."
"Rest assured, Master, our people will bring Brother Baichuan back safely within half a month at the latest." Song Ce stood up and said solemnly, "Master, please stay in Qizhou with peace of mind. We will need you to take good care of the free school."
Tao Wang nodded, and the tension in his heart finally eased a little.
The teacher and student chatted for a few more minutes about everyday matters when Song Qingru walked in with two servants.
"Mr. Song, the Danhuai Courtyard you instructed me to arrange for Master Tao has been properly set up," Song Qingru said with a grin and a bow.
"Alright." Song Ce looked at Tao Wang and said gently, "My teacher must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go to Danhuai Academy to rest first? After you've had enough rest, I'll take you to see the free school tomorrow. What do you think?"
Tao Wang nodded, but his vision went black as he stood up. He had to grab the edge of the table to steady himself. Song Qingru, who was standing nearby, quickly helped him up and said worriedly, "Master Tao must be exhausted from the journey. I'll go and call a doctor right away."
Song Ce stepped forward and placed his hand on Tao Wang's wrist. After a moment, he lowered his hand and said earnestly, "Master, this is because you have been walking for too long and your energy has been depleted, and your spleen has been damaged by excessive thinking; in addition, you are also feeling tired from your duties and your waist and abdomen have been neglected. You should relax and take good care of yourself."
"It's nothing serious." Tao Wang waved his hand. "It's an old ailment. It's just a temporary dizziness. I'll be fine after a couple of days of rest." Seeing this, Song Qingru quickly stepped forward to help him and escorted Tao Wang all the way to Danhuai Courtyard.
Danhuai Courtyard was the most spacious guest courtyard in the Song residence. It was clean and tidy, with several green bamboos planted in front of the windows, rustling in the breeze. After Song Qingru and his servants settled Tao Wang in, he bowed and withdrew.
Tao Wang lay on the soft bed, listening to the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window. His tense nerves finally relaxed, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.
Half a month later, Song Ce finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the thin young man his subordinates had brought back.
Upon hearing the news, Tao Wang arrived and his eyes immediately welled up with tears when he saw the boy's thin frame. He quickly stepped forward and gently patted Tao Baichuan's back: "Baichuan, my son, you've suffered so much!"
Tao Baichuan shook his head; all the grievances and fears he had felt over the past few days had transformed into excitement at this moment.
"Father, your son is alright!"
Song Ce carefully examined Tao Baichuan, noticing his exhausted face, gaunt cheeks, and a lingering trace of fear in his eyes. He sighed softly and said to the beaming Tao Wang, "Master, Baichuan seems a bit weak. Let him go back and rest properly!"
"Good, good, A-Ce is right." Tao Wang nodded repeatedly, reached out and tightly grasped Tao Baichuan's hand, and led him to Danhuai Courtyard.
That night, Song Ce was still busy until very late before returning to the main courtyard. Hearing the noise at the courtyard gate, Lin Xiyue put down her basket and hurriedly got up to greet him.
“Husband, the night is still deep and cool. How can your body withstand such hard work day and night?” Lin Xiyue reached out and took Song Ce’s outer robe. Her fingertips touched his cold hand and she couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Now that Master Tao and Young Master Baichuan have returned safely, husband should rest.”
Song Ce rubbed his temples, took Lin Xiyue's delicate hand, and sat down opposite her.
“Qizhou is expanding again, and the three surrounding prefectures have all come under its control. A great war between the Great Wei and Qizhou is inevitable. For the sake of the people of Qizhou, and for our sake, I cannot stop.” As he spoke, Song Ce paused and looked at Lin Xiyue. “Tomorrow, I will trouble you, my lady, to prepare some clothes and food for Baichuan. That child has suffered a lot in the capital because of me.”
Lin Xiyue nodded gently, the dim candlelight reflecting ripples in her eyes. "Husband, I understand. Today, seeing that child so listless, it truly broke my heart."
“Yes,” Song Ce also sighed.
Lin Xiyue reached out and smoothed the wrinkles between Song Ce's brows, saying softly, "But you also need to take care of yourself. If you fall, who will the people of Qizhou rely on? And who will I... rely on?"
Song Ce smiled gently and placed Lin Xiyue's hand on his face. "Don't worry, my wife. Look, I'm in great health."
Lin Xiyue was taken aback at first, then her face instantly turned bright red.
"Husband, please...please don't get so close to me," she said shyly.
Song Ce remained silent and directly pulled her to blow out the warm yellow candlelight in the room.
The next morning, Lin Xiyue, accompanied by her maids, went to a clothing shop in the city called Suyixuan. The two had been fooling around for a long time the night before, and Lin Xiyue was still somewhat listless when she washed up in the morning.
Upon seeing Lin Xiyue arrive, Manager Liu of Suyixuan hurriedly greeted her with a smile, saying, "Madam, would you like to purchase some clothes for the household?"
Lin Xiyue smiled slightly and said, "I would like to order a few sets of clothes for a boy who is about fifteen or sixteen years old. I would prefer some elegant styles and fabrics."
Manager Liu nodded repeatedly and led Lin Xiyue to the fabric rack behind the counter.
Lin Xiyue ran her fingertips over a piece of lake-blue brocade, a piece of moon-white brocade, and a piece of dark blue brocade, and said gently, "Let's make three sets first. Please hurry, shopkeeper."
"Don't worry, Madam." Manager Liu laughed heartily, then flattered, "The fabrics you've chosen are excellent, with deep colors and soft textures, perfect for a fifteen-year-old boy!"
Lin Xiyue nodded gently, then pointed to the last piece of dark blue brocade and said softly, "Make another cloak! It's chilly at night, so it'll be good to have an extra layer of clothing." Manager Liu agreed and called over a shop assistant to record the garment's dimensions.
Lin Xiyue was about to give Tao Baichuan's measurements when she suddenly remembered the boy's slender appearance. Her words caught in her throat, and after a long while, she said, "Make it according to the size of a typical fifteen-year-old boy. It's fine if it's a little loose."
"Alright, Madam, don't worry!"
Lin Xiyue nodded, paid the deposit, and then left Suyi Pavilion with her maids.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when she heard an urgent voice behind her: "Grass Girl! Is that Grass Girl?"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Xiyue froze. She glanced helplessly at the maid beside her before slowly turning her head back.
On the street corner opposite Suyi Pavilion stood an old woman with gray hair. Her tattered clothes were patched and worn, and she leaned on a crooked wooden cane. Her cloudy, lifeless eyes stared intently at her.
Upon seeing that familiar yet harsh face, Lin Xiyue felt her mind go blank, and her fingers, clutching the handkerchief, trembled slightly.
"Madam, Madam? What's wrong?" a maid named Yuehuan asked in surprise.
"I...I..." Lin Xiyue's face turned pale. She took a small step back, but bumped into a street stall.
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Author's Note: Guess who's here! [question mark]
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